Assegnqe op one



(No Model.) I

J. E. RICHARDSON.

CUTTING DIE.

No. 391,558. Patented Oct. .23, 1888;

WIT

N. PETERS, Phcm-Liihcgnpbor. waminm D1;

UNlTE STATES ATEN'l tries.

JOHN E. RICHARDSON, OF SALEM, NElV HAMPSHIRE, ASS[GNOR OF ONE- HALF TO FRANK P. WVOODBURY, OF SAME PLACE.

CUTTING-DIE.

$PEC'IPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,558, dated October 23, 1888.

Application filed May 4, 1888. Serial No. 272,752.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. RICHARDSON, of Salem, in the county of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, have invented certam new and useful Improvements in Cutting Dies for Use in the Manufacture of Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification. My invention has for its object the provision of a die for cutting out quarters, vamps,

or other parts of the uppers of boots and shoes, as well also for dinking or cutting out soles, heel-lifts, counters, &c., which die shall be simple in and economic of construction, be so formed as to permit of its ready movement I 5 upon or over the material to be operated upon without damage thereto, in which the cuttingedge of the knife will be so guarded as that in the use of the die damage will not be likely to result thereto from accident or through careless use, and in which the entire surface of the part to be cut out may be viewed before it is so cut out.

Myinvention consists, broadly, in a skeleton frame, a knife hung in or supported by the 2 frame, upon which the latter is adapted to operate, and a rest, guard, or rim surrounding the lower cutting-edge of the knife and yieldingly connected with the skeleton frame, whereby the knife will be normally held above the surface of the material upon which it is or may be operated, and be at the same time protected or iguarded against accidental injury, and the entire surface of the material within the cutting limits of the knife may be viewed 3 5 by the operator.

h Iy invention will first be described in view of the accompanying drawings and letters of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, of which drawings Figure l is a top plan View of my improved die. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3

is a sectional detail, hereinafter referred to.

The same letters of reference designate the same parts or features, as the case may be, in

all of the views.

In the drawings, A designates a skeleton frame, consisting of the rim a, in outline form preferably, though not necessarily, of substantially the shape of the part or piece to be died out, the ribs or arms I), and the handle 0, the

(No model.)

latter contrivance being by preference of such nature as will enable the die to be moved or manipulated thereby and adapted to receive a blow from a mallet or the like, or pressure from any suitable device, in order to drive the knife (1 through the material operated upon. As shown, the lower surface of rim a rests upon or is kept in contact with the upper edge of the knife d.

B designates a base rim and guard of aform corresponding to the form of the knife and surrounding. the lower or cutting edge, e, of the latter. To the upper edge of the knife d are secured in any suitable manner ears or blocks f, through which and through holes formed in the rim a pass rods 9, secured at their lower ends to base or guard rim B. The upper ends of rods 9 are screw-threaded, so as to receive nuts h, adapted to be turned thereon. idesignates springs interposed between the upper surface of base or guard rim B and ears f, whereby the knife is supported in proper position--- that is, with its upper edge in contact with the rim a and its lower cutting-edge, 6, held above the lower surface of rim B, the springs ihaving sufficient strength or tension to hold said knife up, as described.

With this construction, when the parts of the die are in their normal position, said die may be placed upon the material to be operated upon and moved thereover, with only the rim B coming in contact therewith, so that the material is in no danger of being scarified or defaced through accident or other happening. The frame A being of skeleton form and the knife unobstructed within its cutting limits, the'advantage is gained of permitting the operator to view the entire surface of the material or piece about to be out, so that if defects eX- ist therein he can bring such defective spots to a point where they will not be objectionable, or avoid them altogether. The rim B, being arranged to surround the outer lower or cutting edge, e, of the knife, serves asa guard to such edge, preventing it from being aeci- 95 dentally dulled or damaged by being brought into contact with material calculated to work siich mischief. The knife 6, being made sep arate from the frame A or other parts of the device, is readily removed for the purpose 100 of sharpening or repair by turning the nuts h off the upper ends of rods 9. The pressure or force exerted on the knife, being upon its up per edge and in a direct vertical line, enables me to make said knife very thin, so that it can be quick] y ground or sharpened and be easily driven through the material to be out.

It is obvious that the handle a may be dispensed with and the blow or pressurebrought directly on the frame A, which may also be employed as a means for manipulating the device.

In use the die will be placed in position on the material,and by a blow or pressure brought on the handle 0 or the frame the springs i are compressed and the knife is driven through the material, the springs returning it to its normal position, and the material or piece died out will drop from the knife.

It is to be observed that changes maybe made in the form and arrangement of parts constituting my invention Without departing from the nature or spirit of the improvement.

What I claim is v The cutting-die herein shown and described, 25 consisting of a skeleton frame, a knife hungin or supported by the frame and upon which the frame is adapted to be pressed or to operate, and a rim or guard surrounding the lower or cutting edge of the knife and yieldingly 0 connected with the skeleton frame, as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 26th day of April, A. D. 1888.

JOHN E. RICHARDSON.

Witnesses: v

ARTHUR W. Oaossnnv, A. D. HARRISON. 

